TWRA Investigating Midnight Norris Lake Boating Accident

Sunday, June 30, 2013

A late-night two-boat collision on Saturday on Norris Lake resulted in one injury and one arrest, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Union County Wildlife Officer Rick Roberts reported that around midnight, between Waterside Marina and point 19, a runabout style boat carrying five passengers struck a pontoon boat, carrying six passengers, from behind. The collision sent two occupants of the runabout, who were not wearing life jackets into the water. A nearby boat rescued the two ejected passengers.

A female passenger on board the pontoon boat sustained minor head injuries and was transported to Tennova-North Knoxville Medical Center.

Officer Roberts also reported that the runabout’s operator, Joshua Logan Ford, 26, of Andersonville, was taken into custody and charged with boating under the influence of alcohol.

The operators of both vessels consented to blood alcohol testing, and results are pending.

The agency is investigating all possible factors including navigation rule violations and proper vessel lighting.

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